Essential Tips on Applying For Programmer Job Abroad

If you find the local job market less than appealing, for various reasons, perhaps it’s time to try your luck elsewhere. Programmers, coders, and developers are typically in high demand, so applying for a job abroad is definitely an attractive proposition. After all, investing in technology and professional programmers is the best bet for companies looking to stay competitive.

Be it over a limited period of time with the intention of expanding your CV or as a permanent perspective, there are a few things to consider before taking the plunge. So before you go searching for cheap flights to your desired country, let’s take a look at some essential tips on applying for a programming job abroad.

Highlight your strength

If you're an experienced programmer, you would probably be already familiar with this principle. If not, master a programming language and a framework and make sure it’s there for all to see.

If you want to be a developer with a good reputation in the market (thus increasing your chances of getting hired), it’s not just about mastering what you do but also telegraphing it to the world. Rest assured that companies are looking for someone who understands what they're doing.

Present a compelling portfolio

Imagine you’re someone searching for an experienced architect to design your dream home with. It’s easy enough to receive numerous referrals, but how do you know for certain if they’ll be able to meet your expectations? Simple, by taking a look at their previous works!

With a professional portfolio, it’s possible to assess and judge the ability of a programmer. The only way for companies to get glimpses of your programming skills is by going through the works you’ve already produced.

If you’re looking to showcase your codes to customers and businesses, you can do so by versioning them. Versioning platforms such as Github, Bitbucket, AWS Code Commit, and numerous others enable your codes to be available for others to reuse, view, or even collaborate. In short, these platforms can serve as a portfolio for your codes!

Learn how to apply correctly

Different countries mean different customs. What employers expect when applying abroad differs from country to country. As such, you need to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the target country when applying so that you can avoid getting dismissed as incompetent or inconsiderate.

Check out the checklist below to learn of the aspects you absolutely need to consider when applying abroad:

• research the respective requirements of the company
• use the correct CV type (for UK CV or for US résumé)
• write your application in the language used in the job posting
• adapt your application to the country-specific requirements
• only mention truthful language skills and, if applicable, the status of your visa
• please note the different regulations regarding the application photo. Note that some countries find photos in CVs or résumés undesirable
• find out which personal information is necessary or must be omitted
• use the date format common to the destination country

Job interview abroad

If you are successful with your initial application and are invited to an interview abroad, you need to consider a couple of things to avoid high costs.

Some companies or employers do provide premiums to cover the cost, but in the event that your potential employer abroad is not prepared to do so, you can suggest a video call or telephone call as an alternative to the on-site interview.

If you have the means and have decided that the interview is worth attending, you should inform yourself beforehand about the local customs. In many regions, for example, salary negotiations are not conducted in the first interview. The amount of small talk and expected personal information, interview duration, and others can differ significantly from the usual job interview you may be used to.

Make sure the destination country is right for you

Now that you’re all set, before sending that application, you need to make sure that your target country is right for you. Carefully consider the cost of living, language, food, and the labor situation on the ground.

Additionally, you may also want to consider visa/residence permit requirements, work permits, health insurance, and other relevant items. These considerations will go a long way in ensuring that your time abroad will be a rewarding one both financially and emotionally.